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Featured Solar cell import tariff

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by bwilson4web, Jan 22, 2018.

  1. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Source: Trump Slaps Tariffs On Imported Solar Panels And Washing Machines : The Two-Way : NPR

    In a statement, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said that, after consulting with the interagency Trade Policy Committee and the bipartisan U.S. International Trade Commission, the president decided that "increased foreign imports of washers and solar cells and modules are a substantial cause of serious injury to domestic manufacturers."
    . . .
    A 30 percent tariff will be imposed on solar panel components, with the rate declining over four years.

    The move against imported solar components splits the solar panel industry with manufacturers favoring the tariffs as a necessary step to save domestic subsidiary companies, while installers oppose them as job-killers.
    . . .    ​

    What does this do to Musk's solar venture?

    Bob Wilson
     
    #1 bwilson4web, Jan 22, 2018
  2. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    ...OK that explains it...my wife was complaining about the washing machine thing...I had no idea
     
    #2 wjtracy, Jan 22, 2018
  3. Dxta

    Dxta Senior Member

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    I hope the Chinese don't see this as another form of domestic market protectionism?

    But I think asides the huge tax blablabla american companies face at home, importing g those products from abroad, has really helped lot of Americans that couldn't afford them at home!

    This ban, would sure help rachet up the slow take off of american solar production. Companies. Because right now, it appears the Americans aren't competing advantageously in the global markets like the Chinese, and Germans.
     
    #3 Dxta, Jan 23, 2018
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    we buy american appliances, so, no worries here.

    musk can now build the worlds largest solar panel manufacturing facility in vegas.
     
    #4 bisco, Jan 23, 2018
  5. Prius Maximus

    Prius Maximus Senior Member

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    Probably give him a monopoly in the US with no local manufacturing competition. And China won't build a factory here when the tariff expires 4 years from now.
     
    #5 Prius Maximus, Jan 23, 2018
  6. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

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    You mean now Musk is building solar panels in Buffalo NY? I guess his panels will be in more demand.
    Tesla says it's started making solar roof tiles in Buffalo | New York Post
     
    #6 Prodigyplace, Jan 23, 2018
  7. austingreen

    austingreen Senior Member

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    Its not material to tesla's solar division according to tesla it will have minimal impact. The solar cells add little to the cost of the installed solar roof, which means it won't help tesla much there, while it only will add a little cost to tesla's solar city installing other made solar panels.

    This is really a fred's house of .... type issue, as it is about the politics of tarrif's on china trade and solar adoption. This helps a few companies, some of the biggest ones are foreign owned, while slightly raising the price of new solar installations and hurting many of the companies that install solar from imported panels (these provide more jobs). The last administration did a similar bad tariff, so this is bipartisan bad policy, but its not that bad ;-)

    Trump's Solar Tariff Is Bad, But Not a Huge Deal - Bloomberg
     
    #7 austingreen, Jan 24, 2018
    Spindifferent and wjtracy like this.
  8. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Good point about the solar roof having substantial overhead costs. When I checked their web site I go the impression the solar cell part would be a minor part of the cost. The Tesla wall being a big chunk. Then I looked at their cost model that assumed $0.14/kWh.
    I could float either way but since we also chat about tax credits, I figured it was a toss-up.

    Bob Wilson
     
    #8 bwilson4web, Jan 24, 2018
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